SY Awarded Grant for Public Buildings Energy Survey

Sustainable Youlgrave is delighted to announce that it has been awarded £9,500 to commission an energy survey of public buildings in Youlgrave and Middleton. The money is from the Peak District National Park’s Sustainable Development Fund and will pay for specialists to conduct a full energy survey on seven public buildings: the two parish churches, All Saints Primary School, Middleton Village Hall, Wesleyan Reform Chapel, Youlgrave Reading Room and Youlgrave Scout & Community Hall. The aim is to help identify ways in which the buildings can reduce their energy and water consumption, including the feasibility of using appropriate renewable energy resources.

"I'm delighted and very grateful that we have been awarded a grant from the Sustainable Development Fund," said SY Committee Member Dave Sharpe who is managing the project. "This energy survey of public buildings in Youlgrave and Middleton is hopefully the first step towards making our community venues more energy efficient and cheaper to run. Introduction of the proposals from the survey will also reduce the village's overall carbon footprint."

Harry Bowell, who chairs the Peak District Sustainable Development Fund panel, said: "This project is what sustainable development in the Peak District is all about – improving energy efficiency and cutting costs for public buildings which are the life-blood of our village communities."

The survey is planned to take place over Spring 2010. It is hoped that even simple measures such as better insulation and draft proofing will be able to help these important community-run venues save money and contribute towards a greener Youlgrave, as well as delivering a wider educational message about energy saving.

Youlgrave Church

All Saints Primary School, Youlgrave

The Wesleyan Chapel at Youlgrave

Youlgrave Reading Room

The Scout hut and Community hall Youlgrave

Plant a Tree for a Bee!

Youlgrave Bee Group would like to encourage everyone to plant bee-friendly plants in their allotments or gardens, but what on earth can you plant in February? Well, now is the ideal time to look at planting trees and shrubs while they are still dormant, especially fruit trees and fruit bushes. Bees love the flowers and the pollinating action makes sure you have plenty of fruit. What could be better!

Trees and fruit bushes come in shapes and sizes to fit most gardens and can be espaliered against walls to save space. In this area, blueberries need to be planted in tubs and kept well watered, but they reward care. If you only have a window box, however, why not plant some winter flowering heathers for colour? They also provide a lifeline for bees if we get a sudden warm spell, which can wake them up when there is very little food available.